“Unlike others I am more sensitive towards the human mind and feelings”- Rituparno Ghosh

Noted director Ritupurano Ghosh is in Mumbai. His short trip is to promote his next Bengali venture Khela starring Prosenjit and Manisha Koirala. Ritu has also completed the shooting of Dosar, starring Prosenjit and Konkana Sen Sharma. Whether it is Aishwarya Rai or Manisha Koirala both actresses admit that it is only Ritu who can delve into a woman’s mind. But ask Ritu about his uncanny ability to read what a woman thinks and Ritu says, ‘Well there is nothing that I have read about women that I know them so well. It is just that I have that sensitivity. But then again haven’t I delved into a man’s mind too? Wasn’t Ajay Devgan my protagonist in Raincoat,’ he argues. Over then the talented director!

You have just completed Dosar’
Yes. Dosar is a film about infidelity in marriage and the pain and the havoc it creates in a happy marriage. Prosenjit and Konkana Sen Sharma play a happy married couple till Prosenjit has an extra-marital affair.

Isn’t Dosar similiar to Khela?
No, no not at all! Khela is about a director’s relationship with a child artiste. The director, played by Prosenjit does not have children and the filmm is about how while shooting for a film he bonds with this child actor. Of course, like Dosar, Khela too looks into a woman’s mind and Manisha Koirala fits the role to the T. She plays an ignored housewife in the film. See, Prosenjit plays the role of an ambitious filmmaker who in a bid to pursue his ambitions does not have time for his wife so obviously she feels lonely and dejected. Worse they are a childless couple.

What is happening to Draupadi? Is the film in the offing?
Of course, it is! I have already signed Bipasha Basu for the title role. I wanted my Draupadi to be slightly dark and dusky and thought she was perfect for the role. The other cast I have still to decide on.

And what about Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulam?
The answers on Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulma will be best answered by Pritish Nandy. I don’t know what to say on that front. I plan to approach Vidya Balan for the role that Waheeda Rehman played in the original. But it is too early to say anything. The only thing I can confirm is that I am committed to do a few films for PNC and Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulam is certainly one of them.

You have an uncanny ability to delve the human psyche’
I think it is inborn! Maybe unlike others I am more sensitive towards the human mind and feelings. And it is not only women but also men, that the way they think about relationships and issues close to their heart.

How was the response to Antar Mahal?
The film had a mixed response. It was a bold attempt on sexuality and there was a time when I was apprehensive about whether a subject like this would be accepted but I am glad that I made it. Soha and Abhishek were fabulous.